Basket cover



. May 23, J? W TREW BASKET COVER Filed oct. 28,1942

l'/ /a l Patented May 23, 1944 `lames W. Trew, Gettysburg,

fourth to Vernon E. Ramsey,

Pa., assigner of one- Suffolk, and onefourth to Raymond G. Ramsey, Drive rVa. Application October 28, 1942,` Serial'No. '463,669

This invention relates to a basket cover and particularly for a basket for use in the handling of fruits and vegetables and which is generally known in the trade as an export top.

It is primarily an object of the invention to,z

provide a cover of this kind wherein the same may be constructed with the elimination of trimming and other steps employed in the method of manufacturing covers now generally in use 'and also wherein the cover can be constructed with a material elimination of critical materials. It is also an object of the invention to provide a basket cover constructed in a manner wherein is eiected a material saving both in materials and in cost of labor.

The invention also contemplates for an object to provide a cover of this kind wherein paper Astock may be employed.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved basket the production of a cover as comprised in the present embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a plan View illustrating a second step.

Figure 3 is a view in top plan of a completed cover.

Figure 4 is a view in bottom plan of the cover as illustrated in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 5-5 of Figure 3, and

Figure 6 is a view in plan with a portion broken away illustrating a cover embodying another embodiment of the invention.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawing, my improved basket cover comprises a mat consisting of two crossed slats I and 2 of desired lengths and in substantially perpendicular relation, together with the superimposed slats 3 and 4, the slats 3 being associated with the slats I and the slats 4 being associated with the slats 2.

The slats I and 3 are substantially coextensive in length one with respect to the other as are also the slats 2 and 4, with the slats I and 3 substantially centrally arranged with respect to the slats 2 and 4 and with the slats 2 and 4 of greater lengths than the slats I and 3, whereby the eX- 55 tremities of the slats 2 and 4 provide extensions 5 to engage in the usual manner through the loops or handles carried by the basket.

The cover also comprises a body wall 8 of suitable material but preferably of paper stock equivalent to a three-ply cardboard. As disclosed in the accompanying drawing, this wall 6 is annular in form and is of a radius substantially the same as the radius of a hoop l to which the peripheral margin of the wall 6 as well as the outer end portions of the slats I, 2, 3 and 4 are stapled, as at l',y or otherwise securely attached.

The overlying portions of the slats I, 2, 3 vand 4 are connected by the nails 8 or other suitable fastening means and in the embodiment of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawing, the slats 2 and 4 are further secured together and to the inner marginal portion of the body or wall 6 by the nails 9 or other fastening means. If desired, the slats I and 3 may be suitably connected independently of the slats 2 and 4 or all of the slats I and 3 and 2 and 4 may be so secured.

In the present embodiment of the invention, the body or wall 6 defines a relatively large central opening I0, the radius of which is suicient to allow visual access through the applied cover to the content of the basket to which the cover is applied and also to allow for such ventilation as may be desired. As is clearly shown n the accompanying drawing, the radius of the opening IIJ is such as to have the inner edge of the body or wall 6 defining the central opening I0 to be beyond or outwardly of the overlying central portions of the slats I and 3 and 2 and 4.

While in the first embodiment of the invention as illustrated in Figures l to 5, the body or wall 6 is continuous, it is to be stated that there can be used, if desired and as illustrated in Figure 6 of the drawing, a wall or body II of a split type and when so used the split extremities of the wall or body II are closely adjacent one to the other and are to be positioned between a pair of slats I and 3 or 2 and 4.

In the production of a cover constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention, it is to be noted that the wall or body 6 or II is preformed in its entirety and thus eliminates the steps now required in making the basket covers now generally in use which involve the necessity of placing separate material pieces between the slats. It is to be further pointed out that the body or wall 6 or" I I constitutes a unit surrounding the`major peripheral portion of the cover,

thereby assuring effective protection to the basket content.

In the production of the cover as herein disclosed, an operator first properly places the slats l and 3; then the wall or body 6 or H is placed; then the slats 2 and 4 are properly positioned; and then the necessary nailing operations are effected. This results in the production of a mat which needs no trimming or other operations but which is in proper form to be stapled or otherwise secured to the hoop 1.

To those familiar with the manufacture of covers for fruit and vegetable baskets or the like, it will be at once apparent that the invention herein embodied is one which possesses a maximum of strength, is of pleasing and attractive appearance and which particularly is an article which can be produced with the elimination of a number of steps necessary in connection with the manufacture of the basket covers of the same `general character as now generally employed with, of course, a, corresponding reduction in costs andlabor.

It has also been fully established in actual manufacture that the basket cover as herein embodied is one which can be constructed without losing its eiciency with the elimination of a considerable amount of critical material, such as metallic fasteners and wood.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that a basket cover constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated.

What is claimed is:

l. A basket cover, comprising a nat circular wall body, crossed slats disposed over each of the two sides of the body, the crossed slats on one side of the body being in opposed relation to those slats upon the other side of the body, a hoop disposed upon one side of the body, the slats on the said one side of the body being between the body and the hoop, and means securing the hoop, body and slats together.

2. A basket cover as set forth in claim l, in which the said wall body has a central opening only slightly greater in diameter than the width of the slats.

3. A basket cover as set forth in claim l, in which two opposed slats are of a length materially greater than the other slats.

4. A basket cover as set forth in claim l, in which the slats are all extended at both ends beyond the periphery of the body, and two opposed slats extend at both ends farther beyond said periphery than the other slats.

5. A basket cover as set forth in claim 1, in which the hoop is of the same overall diameter as the Wall body and concentric therewith.

6. A basket cover as set forth in claim l, in which the wall body is centrally cut out, and in which the slats are all secured directly together through the said opening.

JAMES W. TREW. 

